Cutaneous tuberculosis in Gorgan, Iran

Cutaneous tuberculosis (TB) is a relatively uncommon form of extra pulmonary TB. Even in countries where TB still commonly occurs، cutaneous TB is rare. In our country accurate statistics of the forms of cutaneous tuberculosis are not available. The aim of this study was to assess the frequency of cutaneous tuberculosis during the years 1997 to 2012 in Gorgan، Iran. In this retrospective cross-sectional study، patients affected with cutaneous tuberculosis referred to 5 Azar Hospital in Gorgan from April 1997 to September 2012 were studied. Data collected from the medical records of patients were statistically described and analyzed. In this study، 30 cases of cutaneous TB were found that 18 (60%) of them were women. The disease was most commonly observed in age group of 21 to 40 years. Lupus vulgaris (18، 60%)، papulonecrotic tuberculid (6، 20%) and scrofuloderma (3، 10%) were the most common types of cutaneous tuberculosis in these patients. Lupus vulgaris is the most frequent form of cutaneous tuberculosis in Gorgan.